Why Getting the Right Epaulettes Matters
Ask any merchant navy officer and they'll tell you — epaulettes are not just decoration. They represent years of sea service, exams passed, responsibilities earned. When you wear your rank on your shoulder, it should look the part.
Yet for years, finding quality merchant navy epaulettes in India was surprisingly difficult. Most officers either bought substandard ones locally or relied on shipmates bringing them from abroad.
That's exactly why Jahaazi was built — by a Master Mariner in Dehradun who faced this same problem himself.
What to Look for in Quality Merchant Navy Epaulettes
1. Quality of the Gold Thread
The gold stripes on epaulettes should be bright, uniform and tightly stitched. Poor quality epaulettes use thin synthetic thread that fades quickly and looks dull under light. Good quality epaulettes use thick, tightly woven gold thread that maintains its shine through regular use and washing.
2. The Base Fabric
The backing material matters as much as the stripes. Look for firm, dense backing that holds its shape on the shoulder. Cheap epaulettes use thin backing that bends and creases, making your uniform look untidy on the bridge or during inspections.
3. Correct Rank Insignia
Every rank has a specific number of stripes and in some cases additional insignia. Make sure the epaulettes you buy correctly represent your rank:
- Captain / Master: 4 gold stripes
- Chief Officer: 3 gold stripes
- Second Officer: 2 gold stripes
- Third Officer: 1 gold stripe
- Chief Engineer: 4 gold stripes with purple between
- Second Engineer: 3 gold stripes with purple between
- Third Engineer: 2 gold stripes with purple between
- Fourth Engineer: 1 gold stripe with purple between
- ETO: Stripes with green between
- Cadet: Single thin stripe
4. Attachment Method
Epaulettes typically slide onto the shoulder strap of your uniform shirt. Make sure the loop or channel on the back of the epaulette fits your shirt's shoulder strap width properly. A loose fit means they'll keep shifting — which looks unprofessional during port state control inspections.
5. Size and Proportion
Standard merchant navy epaulettes are typically 12–13cm long and 4–4.5cm wide. Anything significantly smaller looks out of proportion on a uniform shirt. Always check dimensions before buying, especially when buying online.
Deck Department vs Engine Department Epaulettes
One of the most common mistakes officers make when buying epaulettes is confusing deck and engine department insignia.
Deck Officers wear plain gold stripes — no coloured backing between the stripes.
Engine Officers wear gold stripes with purple between them — this purple colour is the traditional engineering department colour in merchant navy worldwide.
Electro Technical Officers (ETO) wear gold stripes with green between them.
Always confirm your department before ordering. At Jahaazi, every epaulette listing clearly states which rank and department it is for.
Where to Buy Merchant Navy Epaulettes in India
Until recently, Indian merchant navy officers had very limited options:
- Ship chandlers in major ports like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
- A handful of maritime supply stores in port cities
- Shipmates bringing epaulettes from Singapore or Dubai
For officers living away from port cities — like much of India — this meant waiting, compromising on quality or paying high prices.
Jahaazi was built specifically to solve this problem. Founded by a Master Mariner based in Dehradun, we ship quality merchant navy epaulettes across India — directly to your door, regardless of where you live.
How to Care for Your Epaulettes
Good quality epaulettes last years if cared for properly:
- Remove epaulettes before washing your uniform shirt
- Wipe with a slightly damp cloth if needed — do not machine wash
- Store flat or hanging — avoid folding which can crease the backing
- Keep away from direct sunlight for extended periods to preserve the gold thread colour
Shop Merchant Navy Epaulettes at Jahaazi
At Jahaazi we stock epaulettes for every merchant navy rank — Captain, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer, Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, ETO and Cadet. Both deck and engine department.
Every epaulette is quality checked before dispatch. We ship across India with fast delivery.
Browse our complete epaulettes collection at jahaazi.com
Written by Aatish Saini, Master Mariner — Founder, Jahaazi
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